A MAN who led police on a chase through the streets of a town at excessive speeds before crashing into a parked car has avoided jail.

Lee Patrick Howarth, 49, performed several dangerous manoeuvres while trying to escape from police after he was recognised by an officer while driving a Ford Transit van. He was found to be driving without insurance or with a valid licence.

Burnley Magistrates Court heard how Howarth, of Netherfield Road, Nelson, had recently bought a van for work purposes and was driving along Leeds Road in Nelson when he was spotted by an officer who recognised him.

Concerned that Howarth shouldn’t be behind the wheel, the officer followed him for a short while before activating his lights and siren.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said: “The defendant made no attempt to stop and increased his speed. It was apparent by now that he was aware of the officer.”

The court heard how Howarth drove at speeds of around 37mph in a 20mph zone and sped over a number of mini-roundabouts in a bid to lose the officer.

After a number of ‘dangerous manoeuvres and near misses’ Howarth attempted to turn the van onto Belgrave Street at speed.

Mr Parker added: “He failed to make the left turn onto the street and collided with an Audi A4. Despite the crash, the defendant reversed backwards at speed towards the police car, almost crashing into that too.”

Howarth then made another attempted escape but was blocked by an oncoming van. He was arrested.

Bob Elias, defending said: “When he realised that the police were following him, he panicked and fled, but not at an extreme speed.

“He is a man who has had issues in his life, including drink and drug problems. He is currently taking a stable dose of methadone.

“He is sorry for his actions and it appears to me that this incident came about through genuinely good intentions.”

Howarth admitted dangerous driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.

Sentencing Howarth, Judge Jonathan Gibson said: “It seems to me that at the age of 49 you are not engaging in the criminality you did as a younger person.”

Howarth was also fined £50 and orderered to take part in a rehabilitation course.